Mobile electronic device wrapped in electronic display

ABSTRACT

Systems and techniques for substantially wrapping a mobile electronic device in a display are provided. A mobile electronic device is described that includes a housing and a flexible electronic graphical display. The housing defines a substantially flat front surface, a substantially flat back surface opposed to the front surface and four sides that connect the front surface to the back surface. The flexible electronic graphical display forms an exterior surface of the housing and extends continuously from the front surface to the back surface and across one of the side surfaces. The flexible electronic display has an outer surface from which information that is generated on the display can be seen, that is convex around the one side surface. The flexible electronic display is operable to pan an on-screen entity in a continuous animation from the front surface of the device to the back surface.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This document relates to mobile electronic devices that are wrapped inelectronic displays.

BACKGROUND

Mobile communication devices allow users to make telephone calls,receive email, browse the World Wide Web, listen to audio content, andview video content. Users select applications to view content usingvarious user interface mechanisms including, but not limited to, rollerballs, keyboards, and touch screen displays. Some mobile communicationdevices have multiple regions for user input, such as a separatekeyboard and numeric keypad. The numeric keypad can be used to inputnumbers, for example, allowing a user to make telephone calls, while thekeyboard allows the user to input text, for example, to send email andtext messages and/or browse the World Wide Web.

Users can customize mobile communication devices by changing settings inthe mobile communication device. Mobile communication devices include aprimary display screen on a portion of the mobile communication device.Content displayed on the primary display screen can be changed by auser. For example, a user can select to display shortcuts on the primarydisplay screen for applications they frequently use. Interfacemechanisms, such as roller balls and keyboards allow a user to selectfrom the shortcuts displayed on the primary display screen. Users canprogram buttons on mobile communication devices to activate differentapplications. Some mobile communication devices allow users to takepictures which can be sent to other mobile devices or used as wallpaperon the primary display screen of the mobile communication device.

SUMMARY

This document describes systems and techniques for substantiallywrapping a mobile electronic device in a display. In general, in oneaspect, a mobile electronic device is described that includes a housingand a flexible electronic graphical display. The housing defines asubstantially flat front surface, a substantially flat back surfaceopposed to the front surface and four sides that connect the frontsurface to the back surface. The flexible electronic graphical displayforms an exterior surface of the housing and extends continuously fromthe front surface to the back surface and across one of the sidesurfaces, so as to form a U-shaped profile when viewed from an edge ofthe electronic display. The flexible electronic display has an outersurface from which information that is generated on the display can beseen, that is convex around the one side surface. The flexibleelectronic display is operable to pan an on-screen entity in acontinuous animation from the front surface of the device to the backsurface.

Implementations of the mobile electronic device can include one or moreof the following features. The flexible electronic display can extendcontinuously in a band having first and second ends fully around aperiphery of the housing. The mobile electronic device can furtherinclude a display controller programmed to advance an animation aroundthe periphery of the housing and to roll the animation from the firstend to the second end without substantial visual interruption.

The mobile electronic device can further include one or more motionsensors mounted in the housing and connected to cause a displaycontroller to change a manner in which content is displayed on theflexible electronic display in response to sensed motion of the device.

The flexible electronic graphical display can be configured as a touchscreen user input mechanism operable to receive user input fromsubstantially the entire flexible electronic display. In someimplementations, the flexible electronic graphical display includes aflexible organic light emitting diode (OLED) display and in otherimplementations, the flexible electronic graphical display includes aflexible electronic ink (e-ink) display.

In general, in another aspect, another mobile electronic device isdescribed including a primary display, a primary user input mechanism,and a secondary display. The primary display is operable to displayuser-selectable elements and has a face on an a portion of an exteriorsurface of the mobile electronic device, where the exterior surfaceincludes all surfaces visible to a user. The primary user inputmechanism is operable to receive user selections in coordination withthe primary display of user-selectable elements. The secondary displayis operable to display content to a user, where the secondary displayincludes substantially the entire exterior surface of the mobileelectronic device excluding the primary display.

Implementations of the mobile electronic device can include one or moreof the following features. The primary user input mechanism can be atouch screen user input mechanism. The mobile electronic device canfurther include one or more user input controls located on the exteriorsurface, wherein the secondary display excludes surfaces of the one ormore user input controls. The one or more user input controls caninclude one or more of the following: a button, a keyboard key, a rollerball or a switch. The secondary display can be further operable todisplay user-selectable elements, and the mobile electronic device canfurther include a secondary user input mechanism operable to receiveuser selections in coordination with the secondary display ofuser-selectable elements.

The secondary user input mechanism can be a touch screen user inputmechanism operable to receive user input from substantially the entiresecondary display. The secondary user input mechanism can furtherinclude one or more touch sensitive user controls located on theexterior surface of the mobile electronic device. The secondary userinput mechanism can be operable to automatically activate a telephoneapplication included in the device in response to receiving user inputindicating a user is holding the exterior surface of the device in amanner consistent with using the telephone application. The secondarydisplay can be a flexible organic light emitting diode (OLED) wrappedaround that portion of the exterior surface of the mobile electronicdevice forming the secondary display. In another example, the secondarydisplay can be a flexible electronic ink (e-ink) display wrapped aroundthat portion of the exterior surface of the mobile electronic deviceforming the secondary display.

The content displayed on the primary display can be interactive withcontent displayed on the secondary display. The primary display and thesecondary display can be operable to display content at a first time onthe primary display and at a second time on the secondary display,providing for a continuous scrolling of the content around multipleexterior faces of the mobile electronic device.

In general, in another aspect, a computer-implemented method fordisplaying elements on displays of a computing device is described.User-selectable elements are displayed on a primary display that islocated on a portion of an exterior surface of a mobile electronicdevice. Content is displayed to the user on a secondary displayincluding substantially an entire exterior surface of the mobileelectronic device excluding the primary display region.

Implementations of the method can include one or more of the followingfeatures. User input can be received through a primary user inputmechanism operable to receive user selections in coordination with theprimary display of user-selectable elements. User input can be receivedthrough a secondary user input mechanism operable to receive userselections in coordination with the secondary display of content, wherethe content includes user-selectable elements.

The secondary user input mechanism can be a touch sensitive user inputmechanism. User input can be received through the secondary user inputmechanism indicating the user is holding the mobile electronic device.Based on the user input, the user can be determined to be holding themobile electronic device in a manner consistent with the user using atelephone application. A telephone application can be automaticallyactivated in response to the determination.

Content can be displayed on the primary display at a first time and onthe secondary display at a second time such that the content isdisplayed continuously scrolling around multiple exterior faces of themobile electronic device.

In general, in another aspect, another mobile electronic device isdescribed including an exterior surface, being all surfaces visible to auser of the mobile electronic device, a flexible electronic graphicaldisplay and a user input mechanism. The flexible electronic graphicaldisplay is operable to display user-selectable elements, where thedisplay includes substantially the entire exterior surface of the mobileelectronic device. The user input mechanism is operable to receive userselections in coordination with the display of user-selectable elements.

Implementations of the mobile electronic device can include one or moreof the following features. The display can include a flexible organiclight emitting diode (OLED) wrapped around that portion of the exteriorsurface of the mobile electronic device forming the display includingmultiple faces and edges of the mobile electronic device. In otherimplementations, the display can include a flexible electronic ink(e-ink) display wrapped around that portion of the exterior surface ofthe mobile electronic device forming the display including multiplefaces and edges of the mobile electronic device. The user inputmechanism can be a touch sensitive user input mechanism.

The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in theaccompa-nying drawings and the description below. Other features andadvantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and fromthe claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows a front side of an example mobile communication devicewith two displays.

FIG. 1B shows a back side of an example mobile communication device withtwo displays.

FIG. 1C shows an example of a mobile communication device that slidesopen and has two displays.

FIG. 2A is an example mobile communication device with a wallpaper shownon a secondary display.

FIG. 2B is an example mobile communication device with interactivecontent shown on a secondary display.

FIGS. 3A-D show an example mobile communication device with two displaysand content scrolling between the two displays.

FIG. 4 is an example mobile communication device that has a touchsensitive area being held by a user.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an example system that provides userinteraction in response to touch screen inputs.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of an example process for launching anapplication.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of an example process for content scrollingbetween two displays.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of an example process for activating anapplication.

FIG. 9 shows examples of generic computer devices that may be used toexecute the actions discussed in this document.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A mobile electronic device is described that has a visual display thatis wrapped around substantially the entire exterior surface of thedevice. That is, the display includes front and back surfaces, as wellas edges. The exterior surface of the device can refer to all surfacesthat are visible to a user. Therefore, if a device that has slidablecomponents and therefore has more than one “front” and/or “back”surface, the display can include surfaces of the slidable components. Insome implementations, the display is operatively divided between aprimary display and a secondary display. For example, the primarydisplay can be similar to a conventional display that is found on amobile electronic device, and the secondary display can be a displaythat includes substantially the entire exterior surface of the deviceexcluding the primary display.

As used herein, a display is an electronic display that is capable ofshowing graphical content over a large number of pixels and arecontrolled in coordination with each other to draw graphical images, andis to be contrasted with simple lights that may be on or off, but do notprovide graphical display capabilities.

FIGS. 1A-C show one implementation of an example mobile electronicdevice 100. In this illustrative example, the mobile electronic deviceis a mobile communication device 100, such as a smartphone. However, itshould be understood that features described here can be applied toother types of mobile electronic devices. In the implementation that isshown, the mobile communication device 100 includes a primary display102 and a secondary display 104. It should be understood that in otherimplementations, the primary display 102 can make a unitary display bycombining it with the secondary display 104.

The primary display 102 can display user-selectable elements 106 a-b andhas a face on a portion of an exterior surface 108 of the mobilecommunication device 100. A primary user input mechanism can receiveuser selections in coordination with the primary display 102 of theuser-selectable elements 106 a-b, such as on a touch-sensitive surfaceover the display. The secondary display 104 can display content to auser and can include substantially the entire exterior surface 108 ofthe mobile communication device 100, excluding the primary display 102.For illustrative purposes, the secondary display 104 is shown incross-hatch, to highlight how the secondary display 104 includessubstantially the entire exterior surface 108 of the mobilecommunication device 100. The exterior surface 108 of the mobilecommunication device 100 includes all surfaces visible to a user, suchas a front, a back, and all edges of the mobile communication device100. Other figures that are described below show illustrative examplesof content that can be displayed on the secondary display 104.

In some implementations, a user can specify content to be displayed onthe secondary display 104. The content can include the current date,time, temperature, and appointments, to name a few examples. In someimplementations, a user can interact with content displayed on thesecondary display 104. User interaction with the content can include,for example, activating applications on the mobile communication device100. User interaction can be by one or more types of user interfacemechanisms. In some implementations the region of the secondary display104 can be a touch sensitive region, and user interaction can includetouching the secondary display 104.

By way of illustrative example, the primary display 102 can displayapplications that are running on the mobile communication device 100,with the currently selected application in the foreground. In otherimplementations, both the primary display 102 and the secondary display104 present active applications to a user. For example, both the primarydisplay 102 and the secondary display 104 can present the sameapplication to a user at the same time. Software on the device 100 cancoordinate the display of graphical items at the boundary between thetwo displays so that, in certain instances, panning of graphical objectscan appear substantially seamless, in that an object can span from onedisplay to the other. In some implementations, the primary display 102presents one application to a user and the secondary display 104presents another application to the user. For example, the primarydisplay 102 can display an instant messaging application to a user whilethe user plays a mobile game presented on the secondary display 104. Inother implementations, the primary display 102 and the secondary display104 present the same application to a user, but the content on theprimary display 102 is different than the content on the secondarydisplay 104. For example, the primary display 102 can present a thirdperson view of a mobile golfing application, while the secondary display104 presents a top down view of the current hole.

FIG. 1A shows a front surface, and FIG. 1B a back surface, of theexample mobile communication device 100. In the particular exampleshown, the mobile communication device 100 includes slidable components.FIG. 1C shows an example of the mobile communication device slid open togive a user access to a keyboard 110. An upper panel 112 of the mobilecommunication device 100 can slide open to allow access to the keyboard110. The exterior surface 108 can include all surfaces presented to auser when the upper panel 112 opens, including the keys of the keyboard110. The secondary display 104 can include the portions of the exteriorsurface 108 that appear to a user when the upper panel 112 opens, whichis illustrated by the cross-hatching on the drawing.

In some implementations, the secondary display 104 does not includefixed features that are part of the exterior surface 108. For example,the secondary display 104 does not include: user input controls such asthe keys of the keyboard 110, a roller ball 114 or a switch; the primarydisplay 102; a power connection on the exterior surface 108; or otherdata connections on the exterior surface 108 of the mobile communicationdevice 100. In some implementations, the secondary display 104 does notinclude the space between the keys of the keyboard 110. Such areas arefunctional areas, in that they have functional objects that are used toperform an actual function for the device other than to simply housingthe device, or they are areas appurtenant to functional objects that areneeded to surround or connect closely-spaced functional objects.

The primary display 102 can include a touch sensitive display thatallows user selection of the user-selectable elements 106 a-b that aredisplayed on the primary display 102. In other implementations, theprimary display 102 is not touch sensitive, and only displays content toa user. In some implementations, activation of the user-selectableelements 106 a-b is facilitated by a roller ball 114, although othertypes of user interface mechanisms can also be used. In someimplementations, the keyboard 110 allows selection of theuser-selectable elements 106 a-b. In other implementations, selection ofthe user-selectable elements 106 a-b shown on the primary display 102determines what content is displayed on the secondary display 104. Theprimary display 102 can display color content to a user. In otherimplementations, the primary display 102 presents grayscale or black andwhite content to a user. Also, the primary display 102 may be of ahigher resolution than is the secondary display 104, and the position ofgraphical or textual elements on the two displays may be coordinated sothat content may flow smoothly from one display to the other.

In the example mobile communication device 100 shown, user-selectablebuttons 116 a-b are located on the exterior surface 108. This is but oneexample of a mobile electronic device 100, and other configurations arepossible, which may include more or fewer buttons, or other types ofuser interface mechanisms.

A display that wraps around substantially an entire exterior surface ofa mobile electronic device, whether a single display or multipledisplays, e.g., the secondary display 104 of the mobile communicationdevice 100, can be formed using various display technologies. By way ofexample, and without limitation, in some implementations, the displaycan be formed from an electronic ink film wrapped around the exteriorsurface for display of content to a user.

In other implementations, the display can be formed from a flexibleorganic light emitting diode (OLED) display. Such an OLED display may beproduced in a flat format and then bent to match the shape of a device,or may be developed initially in its final, bent form. For example, afoil or flexible plastic substrate may be provided initially in afabrication process. The substrate may also be part of, or attached to,a portion of a future device housing from the beginning of the process.The substrate may initially be flat or curved into its final shape.

Anodes may then be layered into the substrate in an appropriateorientation relative to the intended orientation and expected bendingdirection of the display. The anode may take various forms and may beconstructed from a material such as Indium-Tin-Oxide (ITO).

A conductive layer or layers and an emissive layer may then besuccessively grown or deposited onto the device using vacuum deposition,vacuum thermal evaporation (VTE), or organic vapor phase deposition(OVPD), in various known manners. The conductive and emissive layers maybe constructed from an appropriate organic molecule or polymer, ormixture of the same.

A barrier layer (e.g., an ultra high barrier layer) may also be providedusing “Ultra High Barrier” (UHB) by plasma enhanced chemical vapordeposition.

A clear cathode may then be applied over the conductive and emissivelayers. The initial layers may be constructed in a first manner, such aswith the substrate flat, and may then be formed into their final shape,or approximate to their final shape, and the cathode may then be added.

In another implementation, the conductive and emissive layers may beapplied using inkjet printing. For example, conductive and otherflowable inks may be provided to a printhead that may be controlled toposition various elements in each of the layers discussed above relativeto each other. Proper alignment and indexing between layers may also beobtained via normal techniques.

To maintain a consistent visual impression of graphics across an entirewrapped display, material spacing in an OLED may be varied between flatareas of a display and curved areas of a display. For example, thecathodes and/or anodes that define the resolution and dimensions of thedisplay may have variable spacing. As one example, anodes may be spacedmore closely together on curved surfaces of an object, and control ofthe display for aligning items that are shown on the display may becorrected to handle such inconsistent spacing. Also, the spacing ofsuccessive layers moving outward may be varied according to the knownfuture bend angle of the display so that the layers properly align witheach other and do not create image artifacts on the bent areas of thedisplay.

The spacing of layers may be computed automatically by uncomplicatedgeometrical computations. Thus, an OLED manufacturing process may beprovided with a CADD or other similar file that define the dimensions ofa display and the location, orientation, and size of any portion of thedisplay that will be bent when the display is mounted to a housing. Thesystem may then readily compute the variance in spacing that will beneeded for components at each layer of the display to provide for properspacing of pixels around the bend, and alignment between layers lookingout from the bend. Such information may be used to drive the motion of aprinthead, for example, when inkjet printed manufacturing technology isused.

As an alternative to wrapping substantially an entire exterior surfaceof a device, an electronic display like that described above can wrapfrom a front surface of a device to a back surface that is opposed tothe front surface, with the display passing continuously between thesurfaces around a side edge of the device. In such an implementation,the display may form a “C” or “U” shape around the device. Also, adisplay may form a band around a device by covering the front, back, andtwo sides of the device, in a continuous band. Such implementations mayallow for animated scrolling of content from one side of the display tothe other in a continuous looking manner. A processor may be programmedto index content across the display to create the scrolling effect, andto “pick up” the content at a first end of the display when it rolls offthe second end of the display.

Also, controls in a device may be used to affect what is displayed oneach portion of such a wrapping electronic display depending on theorientation of the device or a perceived context of the device. Forexample, sensors in a device (e.g., accelerometers and/or acompass/magnetometer) may determine what is the top side of the device,and incoming information to the device (e.g., caller ID for an incomingcall or the subject line of a recently-received email message) may bedisplayed on the side of the device that is determine to be facing up.Information could also be displayed initially on the “top” side and thenscrolled to the other side of the device. Also, a device may ring withan incoming telephone call and a user may flip the device over toindicate that they are not able to take the call at the moment;subsequently, information about the call may be shown on a display thatis on the now-top side of the device or a portion of a display thatwraps around the device so that the portion is on the top of the device.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, other examples of mobile communicationdevices 200 a and 200 b are shown that include a primary display 202 aand 202 b and a secondary display 204 a and 204 b, where the secondarydisplays 204 a and 204 b include substantially the entire exteriorsurface of the devices, excluding the primary displays 202 a and 202 brespectively. FIG. 2A is an example where the secondary display 204 adisplays content that is not necessarily user-interactive. By way ofillustrative example, in the implementation shown the secondary display204 a is used to display a “wallpaper” design, e.g., to allow a user tocustomize the look of their mobile communication device 200 a. In thisexample, the user selected the floral motif shown.

In some implementations, a user of the mobile communication device 200 adoes not interact with the wallpaper shown on the secondary display 204a. The wallpaper presented on the secondary display 204 a is static inthe sense that it does not change unless a user changes one or moresettings on the mobile communication device 200 a. Although it should beunderstood that the wallpaper can be dynamic in the sense that it canconstantly or periodically move across the secondary display orotherwise change appearance. For example, the flowers in the floralmotif can slowly spin across the secondary display 204 a. In someimplementations, the wallpaper is displayed seamlessly across both theprimary display 202 a and the secondary display 204 a. Other examples ofwallpaper are possible including, without limitation, wallpaper thatdisplays a slideshow of pictures stored on the mobile communicationdevice 200 a, or a user selected subset of pictures stored on the mobilecommunication device 200 a, wallpaper that presents a solid color or apattern to a user, wallpaper that is otherwise user created. In someimplementations, when a user selects wallpaper for the mobilecommunication device 200 a, the wallpaper seamlessly covers both theprimary display 202 a and the secondary display 204 a such it appears toa user that there is only one display.

FIG. 2B shows an example where the secondary display 204 b isuser-interactive. In the implementation of a mobile communication device200 b shown, both the primary display 202 b and the secondary display204 b can be used to display user-selectable content. In oneimplementation, the secondary display 204 b is a touch sensitive displaythat allows users to interact with content displayed on the secondarydisplay 204 b by touching the display. Other user interface mechanismscan be used in lieu of, or in addition to, a touch sensitive display. Insome implementations, a user can change settings on the mobilecommunication device 200 b in order to determine what content isdisplayed on the secondary display 204 b. In some implementations, auser controls where the content is displayed on the secondary display204 b.

In both mobile communication device 200 a and 200 b, the secondarydisplays 204 a and 204 b include substantially the entire exteriorsurfaces 206 a and 206 b respectively, excluding fixed features of themobile communication devices 200 a and 200 b that define functionalareas. Examples of fixed features include the primary displays 202 a and202 b, data ports, electric ports, buttons, roller balls, and the like.

A user can select settings on the mobile communication device 200 b tospecify user-selectable elements, such as the user-selectable elements208-216, to display on the secondary display 204 b and where theuser-selectable elements should be positioned on the secondary display204 b. The mobile communication device 204 b presents a user with apredefined list of user-selectable elements to display on the secondarydisplay 204 b. In other implementations, a user has the option to chooseuser-selectable elements from a list or to create a new user-selectableelement that will active an application installed on the mobilecommunication device 200 b. The mobile communication device 200 b canplace the user-selectable elements on the secondary display in a sortedorder. For example, the user-selectable elements can be displayed on thesecondary display 204 b in alphabetic order, or grouped by element type.In other implementations, the user-selectable elements are placed on thesecondary display randomly.

A user can place the user-selectable elements on all sides of mobilecommunication device 200 b where the secondary display 204 b is located.In some implementations, the user-selectable elements are next to or arecovered by fixed features of the mobile communication device 200 b, suchas the primary display 202 b, a roller ball 218, or four user-selectablebuttons 220 a-b. In some implementations, a user selects the locationwhere the user-selectable elements 208-216 will be placed on thesecondary display 204 b. The user can touch a portion of the secondarydisplay 204 b, and a secondary user input mechanism associated with thesecondary display 204 b determines where the user touched the secondarydisplay 204 b and stores that location as the area to place auser-selectable element. For example, a user configuring the lockelement 214 for addition to the secondary display 204 b touches aportion of the secondary display 204 b to the left of the top leftcorner of the primary display 202 b. The mobile communication device 200b then stores information related to the addition of the lock element214 on the secondary display 204 b, including the location selected bythe user.

In some implementations, a secondary user input mechanism associatedwith the secondary display 204 b allows a user to select elementsdisplayed on the secondary display 204 b. The secondary display 204 bcan be a touch sensitive display that allows a user to select elementsthat are displayed on the secondary display 204 b. A secondary userinput mechanism can detect a user touching the touch sensitive display,and activate applications on the mobile communication device 200 b inresponse to the user interaction with the secondary display 204 b. Insome implementations, the secondary display 204 b includes userprogrammable buttons. Icons displayed on the secondary display 204 b andassociated with the user programmable buttons can change based on thefunctionality of the user programmable buttons. In otherimplementations, a user selects the icons for the user programmablebuttons. In some implementations, a user selects elements displayed onthe secondary display 204 b using the roller ball 218. In otherimplementations, a user selects elements displayed on the secondarydisplay 204 b using a keyboard. Other user input mechanisms can be used.

In some implementations, user-selectable elements 222 a-b displayed onthe primary display 202 b allow a user to configure, change, or lockcontent displayed on the secondary display 204 b. The user-selectableelements 222 a-b can allow a user to make and receive telephone calls,send and receive electronic messages, or browse the web. In someimplementations, the user-selectable elements 222 a-b launchapplications or bring a hidden application to the foreground.

Selection of the lock element 214 can, for example, prevent accidentalactivation of an application on the mobile communication device 200 bwhen the entire exterior surface 206 b is touch sensitive. For example,the exterior surface 206 b includes the touch sensitive primary display202 b and the touch sensitive secondary display 204 b. Selection of thelock element 214 can prevent accidental activation of theuser-selectable elements 222 a-b and the user-selectable content 208-216displayed on the primary display 202 b and the secondary display 204 brespectively. For example, accidental activation of the user-selectablecontent 222 a-b and the user-selectable content 208-216 can occur whenthe mobile communication device 200 b is placed in a user's pocket,purse, or baggage and another object presses against or touches theexterior surface 206 b. In other implementations, the exterior surface206 b includes one touch sensitive display that is locked by the lockelement 214 (e.g., the primary display 202 b and the secondary display204 b are one display). In some implementations, selection of the lockelement 214 locks the mobile communication device 200 b and does notallow a user to use the mobile communication device 200 b without entryof a password. For example, a user cannot interact with either theuser-selectable elements 222 a-b and/or the user-selectable content208-216. In other implementations, selection of the lock element 214locks the secondary display 204 b and does not allow a user to interactwith any user-selectable elements presented on the secondary display 204b until the user-selectable elements presented on the secondary display204 b are unlocked. In some implementations, the primary display 202 band/or the secondary display 204 b lock automatically after a userdefined period of inactivity has elapsed, e.g., 15 minutes.

In some implementations, selection of a user-selectable element changesthe display of both the primary display 202 b and the secondary display204 b. For example, if a user activates an application that uses boththe primary display 202 b and the secondary display 204 b, the selectedapplication displays content on both displays. In some implementations,applications run in the background on the mobile communication device200 b such that content related to the applications does not appear oneither the primary display 202 b or the secondary display 204 b.Selection of a user-selectable element displayed on the secondarydisplay 204 b related to an application running in the background canchange the application to run in the foreground on the mobilecommunication device 200 b, and content related to the application canbe displayed on the primary display 202 b and/or the secondary display204 b.

The secondary display 204 b may, in certain circumstances, wrap all theway around the device 200 b, or may simply be applied as an overlay thatsubstantially or fully surrounds a periphery of the primary display 202b.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A-D, another example of one implementation of amobile communication device 300 is shown that includes a primary display302 and a secondary display 304. In this example, both the primarydisplay 302 and the secondary display 304 are touch sensitive and allowusers to interact with the displays. In other instances, only theprimary display 302 might be touch-sensitive, and the secondary display304 may only provide for the display of content.

In this example, the mobile communication device 300 includes softbuttons, such as a soft button 308 and a soft button 310 that can beuser programmable. A soft button refers to a designated region of thetouch sensitive exterior of the mobile communication device 300, wheretouching the designated region sends an instruction to the device 300.For example, in some implementations, the soft button 308 or the softbutton 310 can be programmed to adjust the volume of the mobilecommunication device 300, to mute the mobile communication device 300,or to turn off the power of the mobile communication device 300. Incertain implementations, when the mobile communication device 300 isturned off, the soft button 308 and/or the soft button 310 are stillpowered and can allow the user to turn on the mobile communicationdevice 300, or to launch an application on the mobile communicationdevice the next time the device is turned on.

In the example shown, the primary display presents content 306 a thatcan scroll in an animated fashion across the entire exterior surface ofthe mobile communication device 300 and appear seamlessly to a user ofthe mobile communication device 300. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, theprimary display 302 can display the scrolling content 306 a, in thisexample, to present the date, time, and temperature to a user. As shownin FIG. 3C, the mobile communication device 300 can detect that thecontent 306 a has scrolled past an interface between the primary display302 and the secondary display 304, and the scrolling content can now bedisplayed partially on the primary display 302 and partially on thesecondary display 304. A display manager on the mobile communicationdevice 300 can display the scrolling content 306 b on both the primarydisplay 302 and the secondary display 304. The content 306 b can appearseamlessly to a user such that the content 306 b appears to be presentedon only one display. In FIG. 3D, the content 306 b has scrolled aroundan edge of the secondary display 304. The content can be presented onthe primary display 302 and more than one edge or face of the secondarydisplay (e.g., a front face, a side edge, and a back face of thesecondary display).

In some implementations, the content 306 a-c is displayed only on thesecondary display 304. While the content 306 a-c is scrolling on thesecondary display 304, the display manager can monitor the content 306a-c in order to detect if the content scrolls around an edge of mobilecommunication device 300 or scrolls onto the primary display 302. Themobile communication device 300 can include one or more fixed features312 a-b. The content 306 b-c can, for example, scroll across an areaoccupied by the fixed features 312 a-b such that the content 306 b-c isnot displayed on the fixed features 312 a-b. The fixed features 312 a-bcan, for example, include hard buttons, data ports, electric ports,roller balls, and the like.

In some implementations, the content 306 a displayed on the primarydisplay 302 is user-selectable (i.e., can be selected by a user, e.g.,to launch an application by pressing on area on the display 302 that isover the displayed content). In other implementations, the content 306 ais not user-selectable and only presents information to a user of themobile communication device 300. In some implementations, the content306 a is user-selectable on the one display, e.g., the primary display302, and is not user-selectable on the other display, e.g., thesecondary display 304. In certain implementations, a single touchsensitive display includes the primary display 302 and the secondarydisplay 304. For example, the content 306 a-c can be presented on asingle display to a user of the mobile communication device 300 andscroll around all edges and faces of the single display.

In implementations including a primary display 302 and a secondarydisplay 304, for example mobile communication device 300, the twodisplays can display in different color modes. For example, when theprimary display 302 presents color content to a user, the secondarydisplay 304 can present grayscale content to a user. Scrolling contentthat spans both the primary display 302 and the secondary display 304can be partially displayed in color and partially displayed ingrayscale. That is, by way of example, the portion of the content on theprimary display 302 can be presented in color, while the portion of thecontent on the secondary display 304 can be presented in grayscale,although the content can otherwise appear seamlessly displayed to auser.

In some implementations, the soft button 308 is programmed to adjust thevolume when making or receiving a telephone call, or when playing mediaon the mobile communication device 300. In other implementations, thesoft button 308 is programmed to fast-forward or rewind an audio orvideo track. Icons displayed above the soft button 308 on the secondarydisplay 304 can be, for example, selected by the mobile communicationdevice 300 based on the functionality of the soft button 308. In otherimplementations, icons associated with the soft button 308 are selectedor designed by a user. In certain implementations, icons associated withthe soft button 308 and the functionality of the soft button 308 changesdepending on a currently selected application running on the mobilecommunication device 300. The soft button 310 can, for example, beprogrammed to mute the microphone of the mobile communication device300. In some implementations, the location of the soft button 310 isuser adjustable, as shown by soft buttons 310 a and 310 b in FIGS. 3Cand 3D respectively. In various implementations, interaction withmultiple soft buttons is needed in order to activate an action or tostart an application. For example, a user may need to touch thesecondary display 304 above both the soft button 308 and the soft button310 and hold for 3 seconds in order to unlock the mobile communicationdevice 300. In some implementations, the entire touch sensitive surfaceof the mobile communication device 300 is locked (e.g., non-userinteractive) except for the soft buttons 308 and 310, and unlocking thesurface, e.g., by pressing both of the soft buttons 308 and 310, allowsa user to interact with other content on the mobile communication device300.

FIG. 4 shows an example mobile communication device 400 that includes aprimary display 402, and a secondary display 404. Both the primarydisplay 402 and the secondary display 404 are located on a touchsensitive exterior surface 406 of the mobile communication device 400.In certain implementations, the primary display 402 and the secondarydisplay 404 together form a single display on the exterior surface 406.An input manager in the mobile communication device 400 associated withthe exterior surface 406 can detect when a user touches the touchsensitive exterior surface 406 and determine when a user touches “hotspots” on the exterior surface. When the input manager detects userselection of a “hot spot,” the mobile communication device 400 canpredict an application that the user wishes to use and activate theapplication.

In some implementations, when there is an incoming call on the mobilecommunication device 400 and a user touches the mobile communicationdevice 400 on one or more hot spots 408 a-d, the input managerdetermines that the user is going to answer the incoming call. Inresponse, the mobile communication device 400 can automatically answerthe incoming call. In certain implementations, the input managerdetermines that a user's fingers are in a particular orientation insteadof, or in addition to, detecting a user touching the hot spots 408 a-d.The orientation of a user's fingers can, for example, be used inpredicting an application that the user wants to use.

In some implementations, substantially the entire exterior surface 406of the mobile communication device 400 can be touch sensitive, even ifthe secondary display 404 is not included. That is, the area show as thesecondary display 404 can be just touch sensitive without being adisplay. In such implementations, an input manager can detect a usertouching hot spots, e.g., spots 408 a-d, and activate an application inresponse, similar to as described above in the implementation thatincluded the secondary display 404. Similarly, in such implementations,the mobile communication device 400 can include one or more userprogrammable soft buttons on the exterior surface of the device 400.

In some implementations, the primary display 402 is not touch sensitiveand only hot spots or soft buttons on the balance of the exteriorsurface 406 are touch sensitive (e.g., the part of the exterior surface406 that does not include the primary display 402). The input manager ofthe mobile communication device 400 can detect selection of one of thesoft buttons or hot spots and activate the desired application.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an example system 500 that providesuser interaction in response to touch screen inputs. The system 500 canbe implemented using a mobile communication device 502. The mobilecommunication device 502 can include various input and outputmechanisms, such as a primary display 504 with a touch screen, asecondary display 506 with a touch screen, and a roller ball 508. Anumber of components within the device 502 are configured to provideselection of elements displayed on the primary display 504 and thesecondary display 506, such as by tapping on a telephone element 510 toopen a telephone application. An exterior surface 512 of the mobilecommunication device 502 includes substantially all surfaces of themobile communication device 502 visible to a user. The primary display504 is located on a portion of the exterior surface 512, and thesecondary display 506 includes substantially all of the exterior surface512 excluding all fixed features of the mobile communication device 502(e.g., the primary display 504 and the roller ball 508).

The system 500 includes a display manager 514, which is operable torender content for presentation on the primary display 504 and thesecondary display 506. The display manager 514 can receivegraphic-related content from a number of sources and determine how thecontent is to be presented to a user. For example, when a number ofdifferent windows for one or more applications 516 on the mobilecommunication device 502 need to be displayed, the display manager 514can determine which of the applications 516 to display, which to hide,and what to display or hide when there is overlap between variousgraphical objects related to the applications 516. In someimplementations, the system 500 includes two display managers, one forthe primary display 504 and one for the secondary display 506. In someimplementations, the display manager 514 includes various components toprovide particular functionality for interacting with displayedelements, which can be shared across multiple applications 516, and canbe supplied, for example, by an operating system of mobile communicationdevice 502. For example, volume or mute elements displayed on theprimary display 504 or the secondary display 506 can be used acrossmultiple applications 516 on the mobile communication device 502 so thatthe volume level does not change dramatically when switching betweenapplications 516.

User interaction with the primary display 504 and the secondary display506 can be managed by an input manager 518. The input manager 518 cancoordinate with input mechanisms associated with the primary display 504and the secondary display 506. For example, the input manager 518 cancoordinate with the touch screen displays to determine where a user isin contact with the exterior surface 512 of the mobile communicationdevice 502. The input manager 516 determines if a user has selected anelement displayed on either the primary display 504 or the secondarydisplay 506, such as the telephone element 510. In some implementations,the input manager 518 determines if a user is holding the mobilecommunication device 502 in a particular manner. For example, the inputmanager 518 determines if a user is holding the mobile communicationdevice 502 in a manner consistent with making or receiving a telephonecall. In some implementations, the input manager 518 includes twoseparate input managers, one for the touch sensitive screen of theprimary display 504 and one for the touch sensitive screen of thesecondary display 506.

The input manager 518 is responsible for translating commands providedby a user of the mobile communication device 502. For example, suchcommands can come from a keyboard, from the primary touch screen display504, from the secondary touch screen display 506, from the trackball508, or from other such sources, including dedicated buttons or softbuttons (e.g., buttons whose functions may change over time, and whosefunctions may be displayed on areas of primary display 504 or thesecondary display 506 that are adjacent to or on top of the particularbuttons). The input manager 518 determines in what area of the displaycommands are being received, and thus in what application being shown onthe display the commands are intended for. In some implementations, theinput manager 518 interprets input motions made on both the primarydisplay 504 and the secondary display 506 into a common format andpasses those interpreted motions (e.g., short press, long press, flicks,and straight-line drags) to the appropriate application. In someimplementations, the input manager 518 reports such inputs to an eventmanager (not shown) that in turn reports them to the appropriate modulesor applications.

A variety of applications 516 can operate, generally on a commonmicroprocessor, on the mobile communication device 502. The applications516 can take a variety of forms, such as mapping applications, e-mailand other messaging applications, web browser applications, music andvideo players, and various applications running within a web browser orrunning extensions of a web browser.

A wireless interface 520 can manage communication with a wirelessnetwork, which can be a data network that also carries voicecommunications. The wireless interface 520 can operate in a familiarmanner, such as according to the examples discussed below, and canprovide for communication by the mobile communication device 502 withmessaging services such as text messaging, e-mail, and telephone voicemail messaging. In addition, the wireless interface 520 can supportdownloads and uploads of content and computer code over a wirelessnetwork.

Various forms of persistent storage can be provided on the mobilecommunication device 502, such as using fixed disk drives and/or solidstate memory devices. Two examples are shown here. First, a lists, maps,etc. storage 522 includes various definitions for objects that may bestored on and presented by the mobile communication device 502. Suchobjects include lists of other objects, such as lists of songs,television shows, movies, or other media on the device. The lists mayalso include lists of file names where the mobile communication device502 stores a large number of files. Also, other objects such as maps maybe stored (e.g., as graphical map tiles that can be pre-fetched from aremote server), and metadata about the maps, such as the names of townsand streets on a map, along with the names of points of interest andbusiness on the maps.

Other storage includes user defaults 524, which may be profileinformation for a user stored on the same media as the lists, maps, etc.522. The user defaults 524 include various parameters about a user ofthe mobile communication device 502. For example, the user profile mayinclude data defining elements displayed on the secondary display 506and the location of those elements on the secondary display 506.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of an example process 600 for launching anapplication on a mobile electronic device. The mobile communicationdevice 200 b and parts thereof will be referred to in the following asexamples. However, it should be understood that the process 600 can beperformed by one or more other systems in conjunction with or instead ofthe mobile communication device 200 b. One or more steps of the process600 can be performed in a different order; as another example, more orfewer steps can be performed. The process 600 can be performed by aprocessor executing instructions stored in a computer program product.

User-selectable elements are displayed on a primary display (Step 602).For example, the user-selectable elements 222 a-b can be displayed onthe primary display 202 b of the mobile communication device 200 b. Theuser-selectable elements 222 a-b can include elements that allow a userto launch an application, elements that allow a user to bring anapplication to the foreground of the primary display 202 b, or elementsthat allow a user to change settings on the mobile communication device200 b. In some implementations, when a user leaves an application, theapplication continues to run hidden in the background on the mobilecommunication device 200 b. In other implementations, when a user exitsan application the application is closed and is no longer running on themobile communication device 200 b. The user-selectable elements can bedisplayed in a predetermined order, such as alphabetically, or asotherwise selected by a manufacturer of the mobile communication device200 b. In some implementations, the user-selectable elements aredisplayed according to preferences stored in the mobile communicationdevice 200 b that can be changed by a user of the mobile communicationdevice 200 b. For example, a calendar element, an email element, anInternet browsing element, and a contacts element can be displayed onthe primary display 202 b in locations specified by a user.

User input is received selecting an element displayed on the primarydisplay (Step 604). For example, the primary display 202 b can be atouch screen display associated with a primary input mechanism which canreceive user selection of one of the user-selectable elements 222 a-bdisplayed on the primary display 202 b. When a user touches an elementdisplayed on the primary display 202 b with their finger the primaryinput mechanism can receive the user input. In some implementations, auser selects an element displayed on the primary display 202 b by usinga roller ball 218 to highlight and then select the element. In otherimplementations, a user operates a keyboard, such as the keyboard 110shown in FIG. 1C, in order to select an element displayed on the primarydisplay 202 b and the primary input mechanism detects the input from thekeyboard. For example, a user can select a calendar element displayed onthe primary display 202 b. In some implementations, a switch (not shown)or setting associated with the keyboard and/or roller ball determine ifthe user is selecting an element displayed on the primary display 202 bor the secondary display 204 b.

If an application was selected by the user input (“Yes” to Step 606),then the application can be launched (Step 608). For example, theprimary input mechanism can use the user input to determine if one ofthe user-selectable elements 222 a-b was selected by a user. If the userselected one of the user-selectable elements 222 a-b, the process canproceed to step 608. If the user did not select one of theuser-selectable elements 222 a-b, the process 600 can end. For example,if a user swipes a finger across the primary display 202 b and touchesmore than one of the user-selectable elements 222 a-b, the process 600can end. In some implementations, if a user selects more than one of theuser-selectable elements 222 a-b but the primary input mechanismdetermines that one of the user-selectable elements 222 a-b was the mainfocus of the user selection, the primary input mechanism determines theapplication associated with the user selected element that was the mainfocus of the selection. For example, if a user touches a calendarelement and an email element displayed on the primary display 202 b andmost of the user contact on the primary display 202 b is associated withthe calendar element, the primary input mechanism can determine that thecalendar element was selected and identify the application associatedwith the calendar element.

The application identified as selected, e.g., by the primary inputmechanism, can be launched on the mobile communication device 200 b. Insome implementations, if the application identified by the primary inputmechanism is running hidden in the background on the mobilecommunication device 200 b, the application is brought to the foregroundand displayed on the primary display 202 b. In some implementations,when the application identified by the primary input mechanism isidentified as needing to run on the secondary display 204 b (e.g., bysetting stored on the mobile communication device 200 b), theapplication is launched and displayed on the secondary display 204 b. Insome implementations, the application selected by a user changes asetting on the mobile communication device 200 b. For example, awallpaper displayed on the secondary display 204 b can change. Asanother example, elements displayed on the secondary display 204 b canchange, such as when a user is switching from a work profile to apersonal profile. The work profile can display user-selectable andnon-selectable elements, such as calendar elements, to-do elements, andcontact elements, on the secondary display related to the tasks a userdoes while at work. The personal profile can display elements related toactivities a user participates in during their personal time, such aspersonal email, instant messaging, and browsing the World Wide Web. Inother implementations, the personal profile displays a wallpaper on thesecondary display 204 b that is not user interactive.

In an implementation including both a primary and a secondary display,content can be displayed on the secondary display (Step 610). Forexample, the user-selectable content 208-216 can be displayed on thesecondary display 204 b. The user-selectable content 208-216 can allow auser to activate an application, change settings on the mobilecommunication device 200 b, or lock one or more touch screen displays ofthe mobile communication device 200 b, to name a few examples. Contentdisplayed on the secondary display can include identification of softbuttons and/or hot spots for activation or launching of user selectedapplications or prediction of user actions.

In implementations where the content displayed on the secondary displayis user-interactive, user input selecting content can be received (Step612). For example, a user can select the lock camera element 216. Userselection of content can be detected by a secondary input mechanismassociated with the secondary display. User selection of contentdisplayed on the secondary display can be, for example, touching aportion of a touch screen display associated with the content, selectionof content with a roller ball, or use of a keyboard to select a keyboardshortcut associated with the content. The secondary input mechanism can,for example, determine what content presented on the secondary displaywas selected. In some implementations, a setting or a switch (not shown)associated with the keyboard allows a user to interact with contentdisplayed on the secondary display 204 b instead of content displayed onthe primary display 202 b. For example, the switch can have a “primarydisplay” setting and a “secondary display” setting that determines whichdisplay corresponds to a user input.

If the user input selected an application (“Yes” for Step 614), then theapplication can be launched (Step 616). For example, the secondary inputmechanism can determine if the content that was selected is associatedwith an application. If the content selected is not associated with anapplication was not selected, such as the lock content 214, the mobilecommunication device 200 b can take the appropriate actions, such aslocking the mobile communication device 200 b. If the secondary inputmechanism determines that there is an application associated with theselected content, such as the camera content 216, the secondary inputmechanism can identify the application.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of an example process 700 for displayingscrolling content on a mobile electronic device. The mobilecommunication device 300 and parts thereof will be referred to in thefollowing as examples. However, it should be understood that the process700 can be performed by one or more other systems in conjunction with,or instead of, the mobile communication device 300. One or more steps ofthe process 700 can be performed in a different order; as anotherexample, more or fewer steps can be performed. The process 700 can beperformed by a processor executing instructions stored in a computerprogram product.

User-selectable elements are displayed on a primary display (Step 702).For example, content 306 a is displayed on the primary display 302 ofthe mobile communication device 300. The user-selectable elements canpresent information to a user of the mobile communication device 300,allow the user to launch applications on the mobile communication device300, or allow the user to change settings, to name a few examples. Insome implementations, step 702 displays elements that are notuser-selectable or that are only user-selectable when displayed on theprimary display 302.

If the elements displayed on the primary display include scrollingcontent (“Yes” for Step 704), the process proceeds to step 706. Forexample, the mobile communication device 300 can determine if thecontent 306 a does not move on the primary display 302, or if thecontent can scroll across the primary display 302. In someimplementations, the content 306 a scrolls across both the primarydisplay 302 and the secondary display 304. In other implementations, thecontent 306 a scrolls across only the primary display 302. If thecontent 306 a is stationary, the process 700 can end.

If the scrolling content has scrolled to interface between the primarydisplay and a secondary display (“Yes” for Step 706), then the scrollingcontent can next be displayed in whole, or in part, on the secondarydisplay (Step 708). For example, a display manager on the mobilecommunication device 300 can determine if the content 306 a has scrolledto an interface of the primary display 302 and secondary display 304.The display manager can determine if the content 306 a should bepresented on the secondary display 304 or if the content 306 a shouldonly be presented on the primary display 302. If the content 306 a canonly be displayed on the primary display 302, the process 700 can end.

Scrolling content that is intended to scroll around the entire exteriorsurface of the device can be presented, e.g., by the display manager ofthe mobile communication device 300, on both the primary display and thesecondary display 304. The content 306 b can be presented in a way toappear seamless to a user of the mobile communication device 300. Insome implementations, the content 306 b scrolls across one or more edgesof the secondary display 304. In certain implementations, the content306 b can move completely off of the primary display 302 and is onlypresented to a user on the secondary display 304. In someimplementations, the secondary display 304 is not touch sensitive and auser cannot interact with the content 306 b while it is displayed on thesecondary display 304. In other implementations, the content 306 b isnot user interactive. For example, the content 306 b can include aslideshow of images stored on the mobile communication device 300 or ascrolling wallpaper (e.g., with a floral motif as shown in FIG. 2B).

If the scrolling content being presented on the secondary display hasscrolled to an interface with the primary display (“Yes” for Step 710),then the scrolling content can be presented in whole, or in part, on theprimary display, and the process can loop back to Step 702.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of an example process 800 for activating anapplication on a mobile electronic device. The mobile communicationdevice 400 and parts thereof will be referred to in the following asexamples. However, it should be understood that the process 800 can beperformed by one or more other systems in conjunction with or instead ofthe mobile communication device 400. One or more steps of the process800 can be performed in a different order; as another example, more orfewer steps can be performed. The process 800 can be performed by aprocessor executing instructions stored in a computer program product.

User input touching an external surface of a device is received (Step802). For example, a user touches the external surface 406 of the mobilecommunication device 400 with one or both hands. In a particularexample, the user touches the mobile communication device 400 with theirleft hand touching the hot spots 408 a-d. An input manager associatedwith the exterior surface 406 of the mobile communication device 400receives the user input from the touch sensitive surface of the exteriorsurface 406. In some implementations, the entire exterior surface 406 isa single touch sensitive display. In other implementations, the exteriorsurface 406 includes a touch sensitive surface and the mobilecommunication device 400 only includes the primary display 402 (and doesnot include the secondary display 404). In certain implementations, oneor more portions of the exterior surface 406 are touch sensitive and therest of the exterior surface 406 is not touch sensitive.

If the user input is determined to be consistent with use of a telephoneapplication (“Yes” branch of Step 804), then the telephone applicationcan be activated (Step 806). For example, the input manager candetermine if a user is touching all of the hot spots 408 a-d. In someimplementations, the input manager determines if a user is touching theexterior surface 406 in locations other than the hot spots 408 a-d. Ifthe input manager determines that either not all of the hot spots 408a-d are selected by a user, or that the user is touching a locationother than the hot spots 408 a-d, the process 800 can end. If the inputmanager determines that a user is touching all of the hot spots 408 a-dfirmly and is lightly touching one or more other surface of the exteriorsurface 406, the input manager can determine that the user is holdingthe mobile communication device 400 consistent with making a call. Insome implementations, a user can program finger orientations into themobile communication device 400 for identification of finger positionsconsistent with using a telephone application.

If the input manager determines that only the hot spots 408 a-d areselected, or that a user is otherwise holding the mobile communicationdevice 400 consistent with making a telephone call, the input managercan send a notification to the mobile communication device 400. Thenotification can include, for example, information telling the mobilecommunication device 400 that a user is holding the mobile communicationdevice 400 consistent with a telephone application. In someimplementations, if there is more than one telephone application on themobile communication device 400, the notification can includeinformation about a specific telephone application a user would like tolaunch. In response, the mobile communication device 400 can launch oractivate the specific telephone application associated with the positionof a user's fingers holding the mobile communication device 400. In someimplementations, activation of the telephone application dials apredetermined phone number that a user programmed as a setting in themobile communication device 400.

If there is a determination that there is an incoming telephone call tothe mobile communication device (“Yes” branch of Step 808), then thetelephone application can be launched or activated to automaticallyanswer the incoming call (Step 810). In some implementations, the mobilecommunication device 400 determines that the mobile communication device400 is held close to a user's head before answering an incoming call.For example, a sensor on the mobile communication device 400 can detectan object within about 1 to about 2 inches from the primary display 402and predicts that the object is the user's head.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a generic computer device 900 and a genericmobile computer device 950, which may be used with the techniquesdescribed here. Computing device 900 is intended to represent variousforms of digital computers, such as laptops, desktops, workstations,personal digital assistants, servers, blade servers, mainframes, andother appropriate computers. Computing device 950 is intended torepresent various forms of mobile devices, such as personal digitalassistants, cellular telephones, smartphones, and other similarcomputing devices. The components shown here, their connections andrelationships, and their functions, are meant to be exemplary only, andare not meant to limit implementations of the inventions describedand/or claimed in this document.

Computing device 900 includes a processor 902, memory 904, a storagedevice 906, a high-speed interface 908 connecting to memory 904 andhigh-speed expansion ports 910, and a low speed interface 912 connectingto low speed bus 914 and storage device 906. Each of the components 902,904, 906, 908, 910, and 912, are interconnected using various buses, andmay be mounted on a common motherboard or in other manners asappropriate. The processor 902 may process instructions for executionwithin the computing device 900, including instructions stored in thememory 904 or on the storage device 906 to display graphical informationfor a GUI on an external input/output device, such as display 916coupled to high speed interface 908. In other implementations, multipleprocessors and/or multiple buses may be used, as appropriate, along withmultiple memories and types of memory. Also, multiple computing devices900 may be connected, with each device providing portions of thenecessary operations (e.g., as a server bank, a group of blade servers,or a multi-processor system).

The memory 904 stores information within the computing device 900. Inone implementation, the memory 904 is a volatile memory unit or units.In another implementation, the memory 904 is a non-volatile memory unitor units. The memory 904 may also be another form of computer-readablemedium, such as a magnetic or optical disk.

The storage device 906 is capable of providing mass storage for thecomputing device 900. In one implementation, the storage device 906 maybe or contain a computer-readable medium, such as a floppy disk device,a hard disk device, an optical disk device, or a tape device, a flashmemory or other similar solid state memory device, or an array ofdevices, including devices in a storage area network or otherconfigurations. A computer program product may be tangibly embodied inan information carrier. The computer program product may also containinstructions that, when executed, perform one or more methods, such asthose described above. The information carrier is a computer-readable ormachine-readable medium, such as the memory 904, the storage device 906,memory on processor 902, or a propagated signal.

The high speed controller 908 manages bandwidth-intensive operations forthe computing device 900, while the low speed controller 912 manageslower bandwidth-intensive operations. Such allocation of functions isexemplary only. In one implementation, the high-speed controller 908 iscoupled to memory 904, display 916 (e.g., through a graphics processoror accelerator), and to high-speed expansion ports 910, which may acceptvarious expansion cards (not shown). In the implementation, low-speedcontroller 912 is coupled to storage device 906 and low-speed expansionport 914. The low-speed expansion port, which may include variouscommunication ports (e.g., USB, Bluetooth, Ethernet, wireless Ethernet)may be coupled to one or more input/output devices, such as a keyboard,a pointing device, a scanner, or a networking device such as a switch orrouter, e.g., through a network adapter.

The computing device 900 may be implemented in a number of differentforms, as shown in the figure. For example, it may be implemented as astandard server 920, or multiple times in a group of such servers. Itmay also be implemented as part of a rack server system 924. Inaddition, it may be implemented in a personal computer such as a laptopcomputer 922. Alternatively, components from computing device 900 may becombined with other components in a mobile device (not shown), such asdevice 950. Each of such devices may contain one or more of computingdevice 900, 950, and an entire system may be made up of multiplecomputing devices 900, 950 communicating with each other.

Computing device 950 includes a processor 952, memory 964, aninput/output device such as a display 954, a communication interface966, and a transceiver 968, among other components. The device 950 mayalso be provided with a storage device, such as a microdrive or otherdevice, to provide additional storage. Each of the components 950, 952,964, 954, 966, and 968, are interconnected using various buses, andseveral of the components may be mounted on a common motherboard or inother manners as appropriate.

The processor 952 may execute instructions within the computing device950, including instructions stored in the memory 964. The processor maybe implemented as a chipset of chips that include separate and multipleanalog and digital processors. The processor may provide, for example,for coordination of the other components of the device 950, such ascontrol of user interfaces, applications run by device 950, and wirelesscommunication by device 950.

Processor 952 may communicate with a user through control interface 958and display interface 956 coupled to a display 954. The display 954 maybe, for example, a TFT LCD (Thin-Film-Transistor Liquid CrystalDisplay), an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display, or anelectronic ink display, or other appropriate display technology. Thedisplay interface 956 may comprise appropriate circuitry for driving thedisplay 954 to present graphical and other information to a user. Thecontrol interface 958 may receive commands from a user and convert themfor submission to the processor 952. In addition, an external interface962 may be provided in communication with processor 952, so as to enablenear area communication of device 950 with other devices. Externalinterface 962 may provide, for example, for wired communication in someimplementations, or for wireless communication in other implementations,and multiple interfaces may also be used.

The memory 964 stores information within the computing device 950. Thememory 964 may be implemented as one or more of a computer-readablemedium or media, a volatile memory unit or units, or a non-volatilememory unit or units. Expansion memory 974 may also be provided andconnected to device 950 through expansion interface 972, which mayinclude, for instance, a SIMM (Single In Line Memory Module) cardinterface. Such expansion memory 974 may provide extra storage space fordevice 950, or may also store applications or other information fordevice 950. Specifically, expansion memory 974 may include instructionsto carry out or supplement the processes described above, and mayinclude secure information also. Thus, for example, expansion memory 974may be provide as a security module for device 950, and may beprogrammed with instructions that permit secure use of device 950. Inaddition, secure applications may be provided via the SIMM cards, alongwith additional information, such as placing identifying information onthe SIMM card in a non-hackable manner.

The memory may include, for example, flash memory and/or NVRAM memory,as discussed below. In one implementation, a computer program product istangibly embodied in an information carrier. The computer programproduct contains instructions that, when executed, perform one or moremethods, such as those described above. The information carrier is acomputer- or machine-readable medium, such as the memory 964, expansionmemory 974, memory on processor 952, or a propagated signal that may bereceived, for example, over transceiver 968 or external interface 962.

Device 950 may communicate wirelessly through communication interface966, which may include digital signal processing circuitry wherenecessary. Communication interface 966 may provide for communicationsunder various modes or protocols, such as GSM voice calls, SMS, EMS, orMMS messaging, CDMA, TDMA, PDC, WCDMA, CDMA2000, or GPRS, among others.Such communication may occur, for example, through radio-frequencytransceiver 968. In addition, short-range communication may occur, suchas using a Bluetooth, WiFi, or other such transceiver (not shown). Inaddition, GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver module 970 mayprovide additional navigation- and location-related wireless data todevice 950, which may be used as appropriate by applications running ondevice 950.

Device 950 may also communicate audibly using audio codec 960, which mayreceive spoken information from a user and convert it to usable digitalinformation. Audio codec 960 may likewise generate audible sound for auser, such as through a speaker, e.g., in a handset of device 950. Suchsound may include sound from voice telephone calls, may include recordedsound (e.g., voice messages, music files, etc.) and may also includesound generated by applications operating on device 950.

The computing device 950 may be implemented in a number of differentforms, as shown in the figure. For example, it may be implemented as acellular telephone 980. It may also be implemented as part of asmartphone 982, personal digital assistant, or other similar mobiledevice.

Device 950 may also include one or more different devices that arecapable of sensing motion. Examples include, but are not limited to,accelerometers and compasses. Accelerometers and compasses, or otherdevices that are capable of detecting motion or position are availablefrom any number of vendors and may sense motion in a variety of ways.For example, accelerometers may detect changes in acceleration whilecompasses may detect changes in orientation respective to the magneticNorth or South Pole. These changes in motion may be detected by thedevice 950 and used to update the display of the respective devices 950according to processes and techniques described herein.

Various implementations of the systems and techniques described here maybe realized in digital electronic circuitry, integrated circuitry,specially designed ASICs (application specific integrated circuits),computer hardware, firmware, software, and/or combinations thereof.These various implementations may include implementation in one or morecomputer programs that are executable and/or interpretable on aprogrammable system including at least one programmable processor, whichmay be special or general purpose, coupled to receive data andinstructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a storagesystem, at least one input device, and at least one output device.

These computer programs (also known as programs, software, softwareapplications or code) include machine instructions for a programmableprocessor, and may be implemented in a high-level procedural and/orobject-oriented programming language, and/or in assembly/machinelanguage. As used herein, the terms “machine-readable medium”“computer-readable medium” refers to any computer program product,apparatus and/or device (e.g., magnetic discs, optical disks, memory,Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs)) used to provide machine instructionsand/or data to a programmable processor, including a machine-readablemedium that receives machine instructions as a machine-readable signal.The term “machine-readable signal” refers to any signal used to providemachine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor.

To provide for interaction with a user, the systems and techniquesdescribed here may be implemented on a computer having a display device(e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor)for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointingdevice (e.g., a mouse or a trackball) by which the user may provideinput to the computer. Other kinds of devices may be used to provide forinteraction with a user as well; for example, feedback provided to theuser may be any form of sensory feedback (e.g., visual feedback,auditory feedback, or tactile feedback); and input from the user may bereceived in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input.

The systems and techniques described here may be implemented in acomputing system that includes a back end component (e.g., as a dataserver), or that includes a middleware component (e.g., an applicationserver), or that includes a front end component (e.g., a client computerhaving a graphical user interface or a Web browser through which a usermay interact with an implementation of the systems and techniquesdescribed here), or any combination of such back end, middleware, orfront end components. The components of the system may be interconnectedby any form or medium of digital data communication (e.g., acommunication network). Examples of communication networks include alocal area network (“LAN”), a wide area network (“WAN”), and theInternet.

The computing system may include clients and servers. A client andserver are generally remote from each other and typically interactthrough a communication network. The relationship of client and serverarises by virtue of computer programs running on the respectivecomputers and having a client-server relationship to each other.

A number of embodiments have been described. Nevertheless, it will beunderstood that various modifications may be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention.

In addition, the logic flows depicted in the figures do not require theparticular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirableresults. In addition, other steps may be provided, or steps may beeliminated, from the described flows, and other components may be addedto, or removed from, the described systems. Accordingly, otherembodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile electronic device, comprising: a housingdefining a substantially flat front surface, a substantially flat backsurface opposed to the front surface and four sides that connect thefront surface to the back surface; and a flexible electronic graphicaldisplay that forms an exterior surface of the housing; wherein theflexible electronic display extends continuously from the front surfaceto the back surface, across one of the side surfaces so as to form aU-shaped profile when viewed from an edge of the electronic display,wherein the flexible electronic display has an outer surface from whichinformation that is generated on the display that can be seen, that isconvex around the one side surface, and wherein the flexible electronicdisplay is operable to pan an on-screen entity in a continuous animationfrom the front surface of the device to the back surface.
 2. The mobileelectronic device of claim 1, wherein the flexible electronic displayextends continuously in a band having first and second ends fully arounda periphery of the housing, and further comprising a display controllerprogrammed to advance an animation around the periphery of the housingand to roll the animation from the first end to the second end withoutsubstantial visual interruption.
 3. The mobile electronic device ofclaim 1, further comprising one or more motion sensors mounted in thehousing and connected to cause a display controller to change a mannerin which content is displayed on the flexible electronic display inresponse to sensed motion of the device.
 4. The mobile electronic deviceof claim 1, wherein the flexible electronic graphical display comprisesa touch screen user input mechanism operable to receive user input fromsubstantially the entire flexible electronic display.
 5. The mobileelectronic device of claim 1, wherein the flexible electronic graphicaldisplay comprises a flexible organic light emitting diode (OLED)display.
 6. The mobile electronic device of claim 1, where the flexibleelectronic graphical display comprises a flexible electronic ink (e-ink)display.